India's Kaveri Engine Achieves Milestone After Four Decades of Development and Testing

Times of India · technology

India's indigenous Kaveri dry engine has successfully completed high-altitude and flight trials in Russia, achieving a peak dry thrust of 48.5 kilonewtons, exceeding its target. Developed by DRDO's Gas Turbine Research Establishment, the engine is intended for the Ghatak stealth unmanned combat aerial vehicle. The Kaveri programme, launched in 1986, faced significant developmental challenges over four decades, including issues with materials and thrust. Despite earlier setbacks that prevented its use on the Tejas fighter jet, the project has now found a new purpose and accumulated substantial indigenous expertise.